MADISON — The next 24 hours could be historic in Wisconsin. Political activists of all ilks are gearing up on both sides of the issues surrounding Gov. Scott Walker’s far-reaching budget repair bill that would all but eliminate collective bargaining powers for 175,000 state workers.
“We’ve had some battles before,” said University of Wisconsin political scientist Charles Franklin, who has lived here for 19 years. “I can’t remember any that was to this level or came anywhere close to it.”
If the past several days are any indication, protesters will smother the Capitol while Walker supporters gear up for a rally on Saturday.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck moment,” said Graeme Zielinski, spokesman for the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
Most Wisconsinites wouldn’t have predicted this 24 hours ago.
After the Joint Finance Committee approved the amended legislation shortly before midnight Wednesday, many assumed the Walker's budget plan was a done deal.
Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, arrived ready to vote. But Senate Democrats didn’t show up at all, leaving the Senate one senator shy of the 20-member quorum needed to bring the legislation up for a vote.
“What they’re doing is first, delay,” Franklin said. “The process was moving very fast. This slows it down … for one day or several days.”
Political activists are taking advantage.
"As I mentioned repeatedly over the last couple of days, certainly the thousands of people here in and right outside the Capitol have every right to be heard,” Walker said. “But I want to make sure that not for one moment are their voices drowning out the voices of the millions of taxpayers all across the state of Wisconsin.”
American Majority, which most recently has helped fiscal conservative Tea Party members, urged “concerned Wisconsin citizens” to show up for a rally Saturday at the Capitol in support of Walker’s initiative.
"We’re shooting for large numbers,” said Matt Batzel, executive director of American Majority in Wisconsin. “We will have hundreds at a minimum, but I definitely expect large numbers.”
Zielinski said state Democrats are trying to support the union movement in any way possible, including robo-calls, phone banks, canvassing and the re-activation of those who volunteered leading up to the November election.
Schools around the state have canceled classes because of a shortage of teachers and staff, and more cancellations are planned for Friday.
Protest rallies at the Capitol have grown larger each day.
Franklin, though, doesn’t know if ultimately there will be an effect on the legislation itself.
“I think the only thing that delay could accomplish is for (the) governor and Republicans, in especially the Senate, is (to allow them) to think through whether the elements of this bill are things they’re willing to stake their careers on,” he said. “I think it’s pretty clear the answer is yes, anyway.”
Kirsten Adshead is a reporter with WisconsinReporter.com. Laurel Patrick of WisconsinReporter.com also contributed to this report.
